The President of the World Council of Hellenes Abroad (SAE), Mr. Andrew A. Athens expressed his satisfaction on the outcome of his meeting in Tbilisi with the Prime Minister of Georgia, Mr. Zourab Nogaideli, on issues relevant to the safety and the violation of the human rights of Hellenes living in the area of Tsalka.
Mr. Nogaideli committed to personally look into the matter, following the information he received by Mr. Athens on the actual dimensions of the problem as he witnessed it during his visit to Tsalka last Monday accompanied by the Greek Ambassador to Georgia, Ms. Mavroskelidou, the Georgian Minister of Refugees and National Minorities, Ms. Astemirova, representatives of the local government, the Medical Director of SAEοΏ½s Medical Program, Dr. Charles Kanakis and the President of the Federation of Hellenic Associations of Georgia, Mr. Kyriakos Iordanidis.  
Mr. Athens noted the fact that these attacks have as their exclusive target Hellenes living in Tsalka and stressed the fact that he, SAE and the Hellenic Government will contribute to any efforts for the solution of the problem. SAE President has already updated Washington, International Humanitarian Organizations, the UN and the EU of the situation. Yesterday Mr. Athens also met with the American Ambassador to Tbilisi, Mr. Richard Miles.
The Georgian Prime Minister acknowledged the fact that he was not aware of the actual extend of the problem and committed to take immediate measures to ensure the safety of Hellenes in the area. Today, by the order of the Prime Minister, Mr. Athens will meet with the General Attorney to discuss the problem. Mr. Nogaideli also noted that the construction of the road that connects Tsalka with Tbilisi will begin immediately, to facilitate communication with this remote area.
The Georgian Prime Minister thanked Mr. Athens for the excellent operation of SAEοΏ½s  Medical Program in Georgia, which in its eighth year of existence has offered numerous free medical services to all citizens, and expressed his interest on the implementation of SAEοΏ½s Micro Enterprise program in Georgia.
Present at the meeting also were: the Medical Director of SAEοΏ½s Medical Program, Dr. Charles Kanakis, the President of the Federation of Hellenic Associations in Georgia, Mr. Kyriakos Iordanidis and the MP of the governing party, Mr. David Begadasvhili the mother of whom is a Hellene pontian from the area of Iragan. 
Hellenes in Tsalka live under conditions of terror especially during the last two years due to organized attacks of muggers. The sad result of these attacks is the murder of eight Hellenes and the trespassing of approximately 2000 homes of Hellenes who live and work in Greece and Cyprus.

οΏ½ Meeting with the Patriarch of Georgia, Elias II
SAE President also met with the Patriarch of Georgia, Elias II and informed him of the tragic situation in the area of Tsalka.
The Patriarch of Georgia expressed his concern for the serious problems faced by Hellenes in Tsalka and noted the fact that crimes take place not only against Hellenes and that this is a problem that should be solved soon.
He also mentioned that it is not positive that many Hellenes have left Georgia to find work or better living conditions, and expressed his hopes that soon the situation for all Georgian people will be improved.
The Patriarch thanked Mr. Athens for the valuable services offered by SAEοΏ½s Medical Program in Georgia to Hellenes and their neighbors.